Boys dance & Girls play football
Promoting equality and positive masculinity
Creative work about positive masculinity and how it can help young people build a better world for everyone!
Equality means more than sharing the same opportunities—it means sharing the freedom to be ourselves.
If you are between 14 and 24 years old and want to share your experiences, thoughts and ideas on what positive masculinity means to you – join our contest and make your voice heard!
Let's work together to promote equality!
Click here to register for the contest and send us your content by October 25th!
What’s Boys dance & Girls play football contest?
Boys dance & Girls play football is a creative initiative that allows young migrants and refugees to express their opinion on what positive masculinity means to them and how it can help young people build a better world for everyone!
It is a UNICEF contest promoted by the U-Report On The Move platform to raise awareness of the importance of breaking stereotypes and promoting equality. Through this contest, participants are encouraged to challenge traditional norms and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive society.
Why This Contest?
Last year, a U-Report poll asked, "What do you think of a boy crying in front of other people?"
33% of respondents said, "a boy should not cry, otherwise he looks weak."
This shows that we need to rethink what it means to be a boy. That's why we're launching this contest.
Did you often hear phrases like "boys don't cry" or "girls are better at doing housework"?
Or did you perceive like being a girl implies being accommodating and being a boy implies being aggressive? These ideas are outdated and limit who we can be.
Traditional ideas about being a man often create unfair stereotypes, leading to inequality and stopping people from reaching their full potential.
Many positive qualities are usually defined as masculine (leadership, strength, courage) or feminine (nurturing, compassion, caring). People are individuals with a unique combination of attributes. By getting rid of the rules about who can have what qualities, people of all genders can be respected for who they are.
So, let’s break stereotypes together!
What do the terms Masculinity and Positive Masculinity mean?
Masculinity is more than biology. It's shaped by what society, history, and politics say about who we should be. Different cultures and times have their own ideas of what it means to be a boy or a man, including how boys and men are expected to act in different situations.
Positive masculinity is all about moving away from harmful stereotypes. It's about respecting everyone and standing up for the rights and freedom of every boy and every girl. Positive masculinity builds respectful relationships and creates a fair and supportive environment for everyone.
Share with us your story and opinion on what positive masculinity means to you!
Address one of the following questions:
1) Have you ever felt pressure to behave in a certain way because of your gender? How did you handle it? Would you change anything in how you handled it?
2) What are some examples of gender stereotypes, and how can we challenge them?
3) How would life be if boys and girls were free to be who they want? How can you contribute to achieving this?
or
4) How can boys and girls support each other to achieve equality that will lead to greater confidence in their abilities?
We want to hear your thoughts!
What’s the prize?
Winners will receive coupons worth up to 200 euros, usable for music, tech items, and more!
How do I register?
Registering for the Boys can dance & Girls can play football contest is easy!
STEP 1: Fill out the registration form
STEP 2: Choose your category!
There are lots of ways you can enter the contest: find them out and choose the one for you!
Categories:
Best Pic:
Post a picture on Instagram or send it to our email ureportonthemove@unicef.org and write a caption that addresses either one of the questions above with the hashtag #UROTMcontest and tag the U-Report On The Move Instagram page!
Best Reel/TikTok:
Post or send to our email ureportonthemove@unicef.org a reel or TikTok which addresses either one of the questions above with the hashtag #UROTMcontest and tag the U-Report On The Move Instagram page!
Best video
Shoot a short video (max. 5 minutes – including any text, songs, visual effects etc.) where you address either one of the questions above and send it to ureportonthemove@unicef.org
Best paper
Write a fiction, poetry, theatre piece (or any other genre) of no more than 5 pages where you address either one of the questions above and send it to ureportonthemove@unicef.org
Best illustration
Send a drawing, comic strip, poster or visual graphics that addresses either one of the questions above to ureportonthemove@unicef.org
Best song
Record a short song or musical composition that addresses either one of the questions above and send it to ureportonthemove@unicef.org
How will winners be chosen?
Two winners from each category will be chosen by our jury.
Any doubts or questions?
If you have any doubts or questions on how to take part in the contest, or if you need support, please send us an email to ureportonthemove@unicef.org or find us on Messenger, Telegram and WhatsApp +393202480863!
What are you waiting for? Enter the contest today!
